Tapo D225 combines battery convenience with 24/7 doorbell recording

The Tapo D225 Smart Video Doorbell takes an interesting approach to one of the biggest choices buyers normally face with a video doorbell: battery or hardwired power.

Instead of forcing users to choose between separate models, TP-Link supports both. A built-in 10,000mAh rechargeable battery allows wire-free installation, while hardwiring provides continuous power and enables 24/7 recording.

Meanwhile, the camera records at 2K 4MP resolution and provides a wide vertical view designed to show visitors from head to toe. Local microSD recording, AI detection and an included indoor chime round out the package.

Tapo D225 gives you two ways to power it

The Tapo D225 contains a 10,000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Consequently, homeowners do not need existing doorbell wiring to install it. That could make the D225 useful when replacing a traditional doorbell or adding video coverage to an entrance that never had one.

TP-Link originally claimed up to eight months of battery life under its specified test conditions. Actual runtime will naturally depend on how often the camera activates, how many visitors it detects and how frequently users access Live View.

However, battery power is only half of the D225’s design.

Owners can also connect it to a compatible low-voltage wired supply. Once permanently powered, the doorbell gains functionality that would consume too much energy for practical continuous battery operation.

Hardwiring enables 24/7 continuous recording

The biggest reason to hardwire the Tapo D225 is continuous recording.

Battery-powered security cameras generally wake when their sensors detect activity. That saves energy, although it creates the possibility that an event begins before the camera starts recording.

Hardwired power changes that.

TP-Link allows the D225 to record continuously, creating a complete video history rather than storing only detected events.

For a front entrance, that can be particularly useful.

A motion-triggered doorbell primarily tells you what the system decided was important. Continuous recording, by comparison, gives you the option to review what happened before, during and after an incident.

Pre-Roll offers another option

Owners do not necessarily have to record continuously.

TP-Link also provides a Pre-Roll option in Always-on Mode. According to the company, this can capture up to four seconds of video before a motion-triggered event.

Therefore, Pre-Roll provides a middle ground between ordinary event recording and storing video around the clock.

Those extra seconds can matter.

For example, a conventional motion clip might begin after a person has already reached the door. Pre-Roll can provide additional context showing how that person approached.

Again, this functionality depends on the D225 receiving continuous wired power.

2K 4MP video provides more detail at the entrance

The D225 uses a 1/2.7-inch progressive-scan CMOS sensor and records at up to 2K 4MP QHD resolution.

Its lens has an F1.8 aperture and an unusually wide field of view measuring approximately 170.6 degrees horizontally and 140.1 degrees vertically.

That vertical coverage is particularly important for a doorbell.

A conventional security camera often prioritises a wide horizontal view. However, a video doorbell also needs to show what is happening directly below the camera.

That can help users see both a visitor’s face and a parcel placed near the door.

Package detection is built in

TP-Link includes several AI detection categories on the Tapo D225.

The system can identify:

• People
• Pets
• Vehicles
• Packages
• General motion

Importantly, TP-Link lists the AI processing as on-device machine learning.

That means basic intelligent detection does not require every event to be sent to the cloud for analysis.

Package detection could be particularly useful for households receiving regular deliveries because the system can distinguish a parcel from more general movement around the entrance.

Users can also configure activity zones to focus motion detection on relevant areas.

Local storage avoids mandatory cloud recording

Another significant advantage is the microSD card slot.

The Tapo D225 supports cards up to 512GB, allowing owners to store recordings locally.

Therefore, purchasing the doorbell does not automatically commit the household to an ongoing cloud-storage subscription.

TP-Link also offers its optional Tapo Care cloud service for users who want cloud recording and additional service features.

This gives buyers a choice.

Local storage keeps recordings at home, while cloud storage can provide off-site access and protection if someone steals or damages the recording device.

An anti-theft alarm protects the doorbell itself

A video doorbell mounted outside the house creates an obvious problem: someone can potentially try to remove it.

TP-Link addresses that with an anti-theft button and alarm function.

If someone attempts to remove the device, the system can trigger an alert.

That does not make the doorbell impossible to steal. Nevertheless, it adds another deterrent and can warn the owner that someone is interfering with the device.

Physical mounting remains important, particularly at entrances easily accessible from the street.

Full-colour night vision uses built-in spotlights

The D225 supports conventional infrared night vision using an 850nm IR LED with a quoted range of up to 10 metres.

In addition, built-in spotlights enable full-colour night vision.

Colour can provide useful information that monochrome infrared footage may lose.

For example, identifying the colour of clothing, a vehicle or an object can provide additional context when reviewing an incident.

However, full-colour night performance depends on the available illumination and operating conditions.

TechnologyBlog has not independently tested the D225 at night, so image-quality claims remain based on TP-Link’s specifications.

Two-way audio lets you speak to visitors

A built-in microphone and speaker provide two-way audio with noise cancellation.

As a result, homeowners can communicate with visitors through the Tapo app without physically opening the door.

That can be useful when dealing with couriers or unexpected visitors.

The D225 also includes a siren rated at 98dB when measured at a distance of 10cm.

The measurement distance is important because perceived loudness decreases as the listener moves farther away.

An indoor chime comes in the box

TP-Link includes a separate indoor Tapo chime with the D225.

Consequently, someone inside the house does not need to rely exclusively on a smartphone notification when a visitor presses the button.

Users can select different ringtones for the chime.

The package also contains vertical and horizontal mounting wedges, allowing installers to adjust the camera’s viewing angle rather than accepting whichever direction the wall happens to face.

That is especially useful with doorways positioned alongside walls or in recessed entrances.

Alexa and Google Assistant are supported

The Tapo D225 works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

On supported displays, users can ask the smart-home platform to show the doorbell’s camera feed.

That could allow someone in another room to check the entrance without reaching for a phone.

However, TP-Link’s current specifications do not list Apple HomeKit support for the D225.

Therefore, Apple-focused smart-home users should not assume that the doorbell integrates natively with Apple Home simply because they can install the Tapo app on an iPhone.

2.4GHz Wi-Fi handles connectivity

The D225 connects through 2.4GHz Wi-Fi using IEEE 802.11b/g/n.

TP-Link does not list 5GHz Wi-Fi support.

That is common among smart-home devices because 2.4GHz generally provides better range through walls than higher-frequency Wi-Fi.

For a doorbell mounted on an exterior wall, range can matter more than maximum network throughput.

However, households should still check Wi-Fi strength at the entrance before installation.

A powerful router at the opposite end of a large house does not guarantee a reliable connection through several walls.

Hardwired installation needs the correct low-voltage supply

Hardwiring requires more care than simply connecting the D225 directly to South African mains electricity.

TP-Link specifies recommended AC power of 8–24V AC at 10–40VA, or a compatible 9–24V DC supply rated at 10W or more.

That is a crucial distinction.

South African household mains power must not be connected directly to a low-voltage doorbell input.

An appropriate transformer or power supply needs to sit between the mains circuit and the D225.

Therefore, households without suitable existing doorbell wiring should use an appropriately qualified installer where fixed electrical work is required.

Battery operation offers useful resilience during outages

The 10,000mAh internal battery provides another advantage for South African households.

If the D225 is running from battery power, an electricity interruption does not immediately switch off the doorbell.

A hardwired installation may also benefit from the internal battery architecture, depending on how the device is configured.

However, the home’s Wi-Fi router and internet connection still need power if the owner wants remote notifications and access during an outage.

Therefore, keeping the router on a UPS or home backup system becomes part of maintaining a complete connected security setup.

Local camera operation and remote connectivity should not be treated as the same thing.

Recent firmware has continued adding features

The D225 has also received several firmware updates since launch.

TP-Link’s current support page shows updates that have improved security, Wi-Fi performance, detection and stability. Later firmware also added Tapo Hub connectivity and integration with compatible Tapo smart locks.

In April 2025, for example, TP-Link added the ability to unlock a compatible Tapo door lock from Live View, a video call or a doorbell call.

An October 2024 update also added RTSP support when the D225 operates in Always-on Mode.

That last feature could interest more advanced users who want to integrate the video feed with compatible local surveillance software.

Firmware capabilities can depend on hardware revision and region, so owners should check the support page for their exact model version.

Tapo D225 specifications

Specification	Tapo D225
Camera resolution	2K 4MP QHD
Sensor	1/2.7-inch CMOS
Aperture	F1.8
Horizontal FOV	170.6°
Vertical FOV	140.1°
Frame rate	15/20fps
Video compression	H.264
Infrared night vision	Up to 10m
Full-colour night vision	Yes
Built-in spotlights	Yes
Two-way audio	Yes
Noise cancellation	Yes
Siren	98dB at 10cm
Person detection	Yes
Pet detection	Yes
Vehicle detection	Yes
Package detection	Yes
Local storage	microSD up to 512GB
Cloud storage	Tapo Care, optional
Battery	10,000mAh rechargeable
Hardwired operation	Yes
24/7 recording	With appropriate wired power
Pre-Roll	With Always-on Mode
Wi-Fi	2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n
Alexa	Yes
Google Assistant	Yes
Dimensions	150 × 50 × 38.4mm
Operating temperature	-20°C to 45°C

Specifications are based on TP-Link’s current US product and technical documentation.

Local recording is particularly interesting for South Africa

Subscription fatigue has become an important consideration when buying connected security equipment.

A doorbell that requires cloud storage for useful recording can accumulate costs long after the hardware purchase.

The Tapo D225 takes a more flexible approach.

A microSD card of up to 512GB provides local storage, while Tapo Care remains optional for users who specifically want cloud features.

That also has a connectivity advantage.

South African households do not necessarily need to upload every recorded event to cloud storage simply to retain a video history.

However, cloud and local recording have different security trade-offs. If an intruder steals or destroys a locally recording device, off-site footage may provide an additional layer of protection.

Neither approach is automatically better for every household.

South African availability needs confirmation

The main problem for South African readers is availability.

The supplied product page belongs to TP-Link’s United States website, while TP-Link explicitly states that model and hardware-version availability varies by region.

I could not verify the D225 on TP-Link’s South African product catalogue during research for this article.

TechnologyBlog should therefore avoid presenting it as an officially available South African model until TP-Link or an authorised local distributor confirms that status.

Importing one also requires careful consideration of the supplied accessories and warranty arrangements.

The doorbell itself supports low-voltage wired power, but the installation still needs to comply with the electrical requirements of the locally used power supply or transformer.

Is the Tapo D225 worth considering?

The Tapo D225 has an unusually practical combination of features for a smart video doorbell.

Battery operation makes installation easier. Meanwhile, hardwiring opens the door to 24/7 recording and Pre-Roll functionality.

Its 2K 4MP camera provides a broad view of the entrance, while person, pet, vehicle and package detection help distinguish useful events from general movement.

Local microSD storage is another significant advantage because buyers are not forced into a cloud subscription simply to save recordings.

For South African homes, the large battery and local recording options are particularly attractive. However, homeowners interested in continuous recording still need the correct low-voltage installation and reliable backup power for their networking equipment.

The remaining question is official local availability.

Until TP-Link confirms a South African version of the D225, it makes more sense to view it as an interesting international smart-security option rather than a confirmed local product.